Device for supporting a golf ball

ABSTRACT

A device for supporting a golf ball whilst a golfer is playing a tee shot. The device comprises: support means ( 10 ) for receiving a golf tee (A) and locating the device with respect to the golf tee, and a plurality of bristles ( 15 ), extending upwardly from an upper surface ( 30 ) of the support means ( 10 ), on which a golf ball can be rested.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for supporting a golf ball whilst a golfer is playing a tee shot.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When playing a game of golf, the player begins each hole with a tee shot. A device is often employed for this shot to elevate the golf ball slightly above the level of the ground immediately about the position of the ball.

Traditionally, this device is a slender wooden or plastic shaft known as a tee. The tee has a pointed end which is pushed into the ground at the desired location. The other end of the tee widens to form a head with a concave top surface on which a golf ball can be rested.

While such tees perform their intended function, there are a number of disadvantages with these types of tees.

The golf tee is often struck as the golf ball is struck by the golf club. This can result in the tee being dislodged from the ground and potentially lost, and/or being damaged or broken. The disturbance of the golf tee can result in a reduction in shot accuracy, and/or distance traveled by the golf ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,822 discloses an improved golf tee comprising a shaft with point and a widened head. A golf ball can be supported by a ring of bristles extending from the head of the shaft.

This golf tee attempts to overcome the disadvantage of standard golf tees wherein the disturbance of the tee during the shot affects the shot accuracy or distance.

However, this device is still prone to being damaged or broken as occurs with standard golf tees. As the golf tee disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,822 is significantly more expensive than a regular golf tee. Thus, this golf tee is not particularly desirable alternative to standard golf tees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for supporting a golf ball comprising:

support means for receiving a golf tee and locating the device with respect to the golf tee, and

a plurality of bristles, extending upwardly from an upper surface of the support means, on which the golf ball can be rested.

Preferably, the support means has fastening means for releasably attaching the device to the golf tee.

Preferably, the fastening means is a C-shaped section which can clip the device to the golf tee.

Thus, if the shaft of the golf tee were to be damaged during a shot, the device would be able to be detached from the damaged tee and attached to a fresh tee.

Preferably, the plurality of bristles are generally evenly distributed across the upper surface of the support means.

Preferably, the length of the plurality of bristles are varied such that the free ends of the bristles form a depression towards the centre of the plurality of bristles.

Thus, the golf ball can be stably supported on the free ends of the bristles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1: is a top view of a golf tee adaptor according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2: is an section view of the golf tee adaptor of FIG. 1, connected to a golf tee;

FIG. 3: is a bottom view of the golf tee adaptor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4: is a perspective view of the golf tee adaptor in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5: is a perspective view of the golf tee adaptor in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6: is a perspective view of the golf tee adaptor in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a golf tee adaptor 1 which has a support 10. The support 10 has a disc shaped head 30 which, when the golf tee adaptor 1 is attached to a golf tee A, rests on the top of the golf tee A.

To locate the golf tee adaptor 1 on a golf tee A, the support 10 has a C-shaped clip 20. The clip 20 is joined to the head 30 by a stem member 25. Stem member 25 is proportioned such that the head of golf tee A can be located between the head 30 and the clip 20.

Clip 20 is flexible so that a golf tee A can be inserted or removed. Once a golf tee A is in place, the clip 20 surrounds the shaft of a golf tee A, to retain the tee in position.

A set of bristles 15, which are attached to the head 30, provide support for a golf ball (not shown). The bristles 15 are attached to the head 30 on the opposite face to the clip 20. The bristles 15 are evenly distributed through a circular area located on the upper surface of the head 30.

When the golf tee adaptor 1 is attached to a golf tee A, and pushed into the ground, the bristles 15 are oriented upwards. To aid the support of a golf ball (not shown) on the bristles 15, the uppermost ends of the bristles 15 are cut to create a concave surface 16.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A device for supporting a golf ball comprising: support means for receiving a golf tee and locating the device with respect to the golf tee, and a plurality of bristles, extending upwardly from an upper surface of the support means, on which the golf ball can be rested.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means has fastening means for releasably attaching the device to the golf tee.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening means is a C-shaped section which can clip the device to the golf tee.
 4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bristles are generally evenly distributed across the upper surface of the support means.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the length of the plurality of bristles are varied such that the free ends of the bristles form a depression towards the centre of the plurality of bristles. 